JOST INVITE
Sudden wave of sickness, injuries opens doors for other players
It wasn’t even a week ago when Fred Harbinson spoke of having a surplus of quality players to ensure healthy competition within the ranks. That situation changed in recent days as the Penticton Vees prepare for tonight’s 7 p.m. puck-drop against the Trail Smoke Eaters — the Vees’ first visit to Cominco Arena this season.
“We’re going to have a bit of a different lineup (tonight),” said the Vees president, GM and head coach. “It’s going to be an opportunity for some other guys. We still have a good lineup and the same expectation to win.”
A strep-throat virus has been running through the team, but that’s not the reason the Vees won’t have 20-year-old defencemen Gabe Bast and Mitch Meek for tonight’s game.
Bast had a regular scheduled check-up with a specialist in Vancouver in relation to the lower-body ailment that caused him to miss practically the entire 2015-16 season. He is expected back for home games against Salmon Arm on Friday and Powell River on Saturday.
Meek isn’t expected back anytime soon after sustaining a head injury in Saturday’s 2-1 overtime win over Chilliwack.
“It was a missed call, a blindside hit to the head that was a clear five-minute major,” said Harbinson, who isn’t expected to send a tape of the incident to the league office for review.
“Mitch is progressing well, but you have to be real careful with these kind of things. He took a shoulder pad to the head. We definitely won’t have him for the three games this week, and quite likely longer than that.” Harbinson said he will likely call up an affiliated player to give the Vees six blue-liners for tonight’s game.
Several AP defencemen could get the call in the coming weeks with three other Vees defencemen — Jonny Tychonick, James Miller and Griffin Mendel — going to the Team Canada West selection camp and potentially playing in the World Junior A Challenge in Alberta in December.
Up front, Jamie Armstrong played through the strep-throat on Saturday, but hasn’t practised since and is doubtful for tonight.
“He didn’t have a good game on Saturday and now we know why,” said Harbinson. “He was feeling weak and unable to eat or sleep. (Assistant coach) Matt Fraser has it and a few of the other players are feeling the effects. So there could potentially be a few more guys (scratched from the lineup), depending on how they feel.”
The Vees will also likely be going with rookie Nolan Hildebrand in goal as veteran Mat Robson is just back from a recruiting visit to the University of Minnesota.
It’s going to be an opportunity for some other guys. We still have a good lineup and the same expectation to win. Fred Harbinson
The Vees (23-4-0) are riding a five-game winning streak and face a surprising Trail team that is third in the Interior Division at 14-13-1, just two points behind secondplace Vernon with a game in hand.
“They’ve got some guys having real good seasons,” said Harbinson. “We squeezed out a double-overtime win over them at home and now we go to their building, which is always a tough place to play.”
The Vees scored in the last second of double-OT to beat the Smokies 3-2 on Oct. 1 at the SOEC.
Trail is led by Luke Santerno, fifth in the league with 21 goals and 39 points, and Kale Howarth, with 14 goals and 34 points. One-time Vees forward Josh Laframboise is third on the team with 12 goals and 26 points.
The Vees are led by captain Nicholas Jones with 12 goals and 34 points, while Grant Cruikshank leads in goals with 16.
ICE CHIPS: The Vees are an incredible 71-9-0-1 in the months of September, October and November the past three seasons. The quick starts are a big reason why the Vees are chasing a sixth straight Interior Division pennant . . . . After tonight’s game, the Vees play seven of eight at home in December . . . . Fans have until Dec. 31 to get their Western Canada Cup tickets at the early-bird price of $149. The Vees will host the five-team event April 29 to May 7 at the SOEC.